Introduction to sociology - assessment

Question 1

what does alienation mean?

Answer 1

Where an individual or group feels socially isolated and estranged because they lack the power to control their lives and realise their true potential. Marx describes workers in capitalist society as alienated because they are exploited and lack control of the production process

Question 2

what does bourgeoisie mean?

Answer 2

Marxist term for the capitalist class, the owners of the means of production (factories, machinery, raw materials, land etc). Marx argues that the bourgeoisie’s ownership of the means of production also gives them political and ideologicial power

Question 3

what does exploitation mean?

Answer 3

Paying workers less than the value of their labour. According to Marxists, it is the process whereby the bourgeoisie extract surplus value or profit from the labour of the proletariat. Feminists see men as exploiting the domestic labour of women

Question 4

what does ideology mean?

Answer 4

Originally a Marxist idea meaning a set of beliefs that serve the interests of a dominant social group by justifying their privileged position. The term usually implies that beliefs are false or only partially true

Question 5

what does proletariat mean?

Answer 5

The working class in capitalist society. They own no means of production and are ‘wage slaves’, forced to sell their labour-power to the bourgeoisie in order to survivew

Question 6

what does marxism mean?

Answer 6

A conflict perspective based on the ideas of Karl Marx (1818-83).whgat It sees society as divided into two opposed classes, one of which exploits the labour of the other. In capitalist society, the bourgeoisie exploits the proletariat. Marx predicted the proletariat would unite to overthrow capitalism and create a classless society. Marxist’s argue that institutions such as education and the media function to maintain capitalism

Question 7

what does culture mean?

Answer 7

All those things that are learnt and shared by a society or group of people and transmitted from generation to generation through socialisation. It includes shared norms, values, knowledge, beliefs and skills

Question 8

what does identity mean?

Answer 8

The individual’s sense of self, influenced by socialisation and interactions with others; a sense of belonging to a community. Postmodernists see identity as a choice that individuals make from among different sources of identity, such as gender, ethnic group, religion, sexuality, leisure interests, nationality etc

Question 9

what does hierarchy mean?

Answer 9

An organisation or social structure based on a ‘pyramid’ of senior and junior positions and top-down control; e.g. an army with its different ranks and command from above

Question 10

what does industrialisation mean?

Answer 10

The shift from an agricultural economy to one based on factory production. In Britain, industrialisation occurred from about the late 18th to the mid 19th centuries. Industrialisation often occurs along with urbanisation

Question 11

what does meritocracy mean?

Answer 11

An educational or social system where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and where individuals rewards and status are achieved by their own efforts rather than ascribed by their gender, class or ethnic group

Question 12

what does norms mean?

Answer 12

Social rules, expectations or standards that govern the behaviour expected in particular situations. Norms may be formal (e.g. written laws or rules) or informal (e.g. rules of politeness). Each culture has detailed norms governing every aspect of behaviour

Question 13

what does patriarchy mean?

Answer 13

Feminists use the term to describe society based on male domination; a system or ideology of male power over women

Question 14

what does social class mean?

Answer 14

Social groupings of hierarchy based on differences in wealth, income or occupation. Marx identified two opposed classes in capitalist society, the bourgeoisie and proletariat. Many sociologists use occupation to distinguish between a manual working class and a non-manual middle class. Some also identify an underclass beneath the working class

Question 15

what does social solidarity mean?

Answer 15

The cohesion between individuals in a society that ensures social order and stability. It underlines the interdependence between people in a society, which makes them feel that they can improve the lives of others

Question 16

what does value consensus mean?

Answer 16

Agreement among society’s members about what values are important; a shared culture. According to functionalists, it integrates individuals into society by giving them a sense of solidarity or ‘fellow feeling’ with others and enables them to agree on goals and cooperate harmoniously

Question 17

what does ascribed status mean?

Answer 17

The social status of a person that is assigned at birth or assumed involuntarily later in life. The status is a position that is neither earned by the person nor chosen for them

Question 18

what does achieved status mean?

Answer 18

A social position that a person can acquire on the basis of merit and is earned or chosen. It is the opposite of ascribed status and reflects personal skills, abilities, and efforts

Question 19

what does stratification mean?

Answer 19

The division of society into hierarchy of unequal groups. The inequalities may be of wealth, power and/or status. Stratification systems may be based on differences in social class, ethnic group, age, gender, religion etc. Members of different groups usually have different life chances

Question 20

what does values mean

Answer 20

Qualities or beliefs accepted and endorsed by a given society, that something is good and worthwhile. It defines what is worth having and worth striving for

Question 21

what does underclass mean?

Answer 21

The segment of the population that occupies the lowest possible position in a class hierarchy, below the core body of the working class

Question 22

what does structural theories mean?

Answer 22

See individuals as entirely shaped by the way society is structured or organised; e.g., functionalism sees society as socialising individuals into shared norms and values that dictate how they will behave. Marxism and most types of feminism are usually regarded as structural theories

Question 23

what does stereotype mean?

Answer 23

A simplified, one-sided and often negative image of a group or individual which assumes that all members of that group share the same characteristics, e.g. the image that all black boys are disruptive and unruly

Question 24

what does socialisation mean?

Answer 24

The process of learning one’s culture or ‘internalising’ the culture, whereby society ‘get into’ and becomes part of us

Question 25

what does primary socialisation mean?

Answer 25

takes place in the early years of life and occurs largely within the family, where we learn language, basic skills and norms

Question 26

what does secondary socialisation mean?

Answer 26

takes place later, at school and wider society. Introduces us to the more interpersonal adult world

Question 27

what does customs mean?

Answer 27

are norms that have existed for a long time and become part of society’s traditions, e.g. giving presents at birthdays, shaking hands, bowing when greeting someone…

Question 28

what does functionalism mean?

Answer 28

A consensus perspective that sees society as based on shared values into which members are socialised. It sees society as like an organism, each part performing functions to maintain the system as a whole, e.g. the family and education system perform socialisation functions

Question 29

what does social construction mean?

Answer 29

Where something is created by social processes, rather than simply occurring naturally. It is likely to vary historically and between cultures

Question 30

what does social control mean?

Answer 30

By which society tries to ensure that its members behave as others expect them to. To encourage individuals to conform to society’s norms and values